^{12 Ref} And the wisdom -- whence is it found? And where `is' this, the place of understanding?

^{13 Ref} Man hath not known its arrangement, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

^{14 Ref} The deep hath said, `It `is' not in me,' And the sea hath said, `It is not with me.'

^{15 Ref} Gold is not given for it, Nor is silver weighed -- its price.

^{16 Ref} It is not valued with pure gold of Ophir, With precious onyx and sapphire,

^{17 Ref} Not equal it do gold and crystal, Nor `is' its exchange a vessel of fine gold.

^{18 Ref} Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom `is' above rubies.

^{19 Ref} Not equal it doth the topaz of Cush, With pure gold it is not valued.

^{20 Ref} And the wisdom -- whence doth it come? And where `is' this, the place of understanding?

^{21 Ref} It hath been hid from the eyes of all living. And from the fowl of the heavens It hath been hidden.

^{22 Ref} Destruction and death have said: `With our ears we have heard its fame.'

^{23 Ref} God hath understood its way, And He hath known its place.

^{12 Ref} But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

^{13 Ref} Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living.

^{14 Ref} The deep saith, It is not in me; And the sea saith, It is not with me.

^{15 Ref} It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

^{16 Ref} It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

^{17 Ref} Gold and glass cannot equal it, Neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

^{18 Ref} No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.

^{19 Ref} The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

^{20 Ref} Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?

^{21 Ref} Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens.

^{22 Ref} Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.

^{23 Ref} God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof.

^{12 Ref} But where may wisdom be seen? and where is the resting-place of knowledge?

^{13 Ref} Man has not seen the way to it, and it is not in the land of the living.

^{14 Ref} The deep waters say, It is not in me: and the sea says, It is not with me.

^{15 Ref} Gold may not be given for it, or a weight of silver in payment for it.

^{16 Ref} It may not be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the onyx of great price, or the sapphire.

^{17 Ref} Gold and glass are not equal to it in price, and it may not be exchanged for jewels of the best gold.

^{18 Ref} There is no need to say anything about coral or crystal; and the value of wisdom is greater than that of pearls.

^{19 Ref} The topaz of Ethiopia is not equal to it, and it may not be valued with the best gold.

^{20 Ref} From where then does wisdom come, and where is the resting-place of knowledge?

^{21 Ref} For it is kept secret from the eyes of all living, unseen by the birds of the air.

^{22 Ref} Destruction and Death say, We have only had word of it with our ears.

^{23 Ref} God has knowledge of the way to it, and of its resting-place;